Two Critical Time Management Tips for College Freshmen

Starting college is a lot like working at home. You have a lot of things that need to get done, but no specific time frame you absolutely have to commit to most of them each day. You have project deadlines, but no interim submission requirements. There's laundry to do and shopping if you make your own meals.

How much socializing really happens on a schedule? Not much. So why do you feel pressed for time? Getting everything done that needs to be done may be thwarted by external influences more than internal forces.

The roommate: "Aw, c'mon. Come out with us just for a little while. You can study later."

The boyfriend: "I really want to see you tonight."

The laundry room: there are three baskets of dirty laundry ahead of you waiting for the washers to free up and two of the dryers are broken.

That damn history professor: did he really need to assign 200 pages of reading on top of all that crap he stuffed on the syllabus?

Time management tip #1: managing time is about making choices and managing people.

Internalize this tip and you're half-way there. You need to decide what's really important and what can slide. Then make time for the things that are important. Insist that the people around you respect your work and your choices. If you set aside a block of time to get some reading done, don't let someone else tell you it- or the schedule on which you chose to get it done- isn't important. Use similar discrimination tactics in deciding when, where and with whom to socialize.

Time management tip #2: organize for success.

* Organization means different things to different people. But if you are wasting time looking for a highlighter or trying to find your favorite sweater, you may need to de-clutter or at least re-think your storage system.

* There's a lot of down time on campus when you could read a chapter or write a short paper- but not if you're not prepared. Whether you're waiting to put your clothes in the dryer or killing time between classes, carrying around an assignment and whatever supplies are needed to complete it will enable you to use down time wisely.

* Socializing is an important part of the college experience- including impromptu socializing- but that doesn't mean you shouldn't set limits. Avoid letting your dorm room becoming a revolving door or you'll soon resent rather than revel in having visitors.

The demands of college can seem daunting at times, but if you set priorities and stick to them, you can not only manage but soar.